Perpetuating the Concussion Crisis

Can a helmet, mouth guard, helmet shell, or other sporting equipment prevent or reduce concussions? Absolutely not! Whenever sufficient forces are transmitted to the brain–via a hit to the head or body–nothing can prevent the brain from slamming against the skull.

Unfortunately, companies are taking advantage of the concussion crisis by marketing their products as having the capability to reduce or prevent concussions.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently slapped Brain-Pad with an administrative complaint for violating Section 5(a) of the FTC Act. The FTC found that Brain-Pad’s marketing was false and misleading.

Brain-Pad and its President, Joseph Manzo, entered into a proposed consent order with the FTC, which will require Brain-Pad to cease making unsubstantiated claims that the mouth guards can prevent or reduce concussions. Once the order becomes final, and if Brain-Pad continues to make false claims, it will be hit with monetary fines of up to $11,000 for each violation.

Although this is a step in the right direction, other companies continue to make similar claims. Furthermore, the settlement does not provide a remedy to the consumers that were injured by Brain-Pad’s false and misleading conduct.

Aids in Concussion Prevention To help reduce the chances of suffering from a concussion, it is important to always wear a Maher product while participating in sports. The implementation of this properly-fitted mouth guard with the prescribed thickness separates the mandible (lower jaw) from the maxilla (upper jaw). This limits the chance of obtaining a concussion via a direct blow to the jaw. This, as well as wearing properly fitted protective head gear and chin straps allows for the utmost protection from dangerous head trauma. Mahercorlabs.com/concussions

John Gonoude had a promising athletic future entering into his freshman year of high school football. He was the captain of the squad, and his peers looked up to him as the next leader to take his team to the state championship.

Tragically, numerous concussions sidelined John’s football dreams.

During the summer of his sophomore year, a new coaching staff was put in place and John’s goal was to show the coaches he deserved a spot on the varsity squad. He suffered his first concussion during training camp and was required to sit out for a week.

In the interim, John’s father explicitly told his coach not to allow him to return to practice until a medical professional cleared him to play.

John believed he had to get back on the field or else he would lose his shot at making the varsity squad. Despite his father’s directive, the coach allowed him to return to play.

Later that day during line drills, John said he felt “like his brain was creeping out of his skull,” and he began screaming in pain on the ground. After his father shared a few choice words with the coach, his family decided it would be best if John sat out for the remainder of the season.

John experienced constant headaches, he couldn’t bear bright lights, and he had trouble reading — symptoms of post-concussion syndrome — which, according to John, made him “scared as hell.”

He and his father began researching concussions and looking for equipment that would allow him to return to play. His father came across the MaherCor website which promised a quick fix to prevent concussions. In fact, numerous professional athletes endorsed Maher’s mouth guard as effectively preventing concussions.

I previously had 3 concussions. I started wearing The Maher Mouth Guard 3 years ago and have not had a concussion since. I feel very comfortable wearing The Maher Mouth Guard and recommend it for any contact sport. It is perfect! Asante Samuel[2]

John said he and his dad were entirely convinced the mouth guard would keep him concussion free. His father dropped a coupled hundred dollars so that his son could be properly fitted with the Maher B-Protect Splint.

John was ecstatic. He told his friends and coaches that he was fitted with a mouth guard that would prevent concussions.

Cloaked with a shield of security, John felt that he could hit harder because he was protected with the mouth guard.

During the first week of training camp, prior to his junior year, John took another blow to his head, causing his third concussion. This time, ending his hopes of ever playing tackle football again.

John said other than giving him “a false sense of confidence,” the mouth guard was utterly worthless. “I wish people didn’t have to deal with this; especially once consumers find out the investment backfires.”

Leading neurologists and experts on sport-related concussions agree.

Dr. Jeffrey Kutcher, American Academy of Neurology’s chairman of sports neurology, testified that, “The simple truth is that no current helmet, mouth guard, headband, or other piece of equipment can significantly prevent concussions from occurring…Concussion prevention is much more about teaching proper technique, playing by the rules, and limiting the overall dose of impacts.”

Boston University’s team of experts, Dr. Cantu, Dr. Ann McKee, and Chris Nowinski, recently did a study of “concussion prevention devices.” The conclusion: “there is currently no evidence that standard or fitted mouth guards decrease the rate or severity of concussions in athletes.” Further, there was “no statistically significant results” to show that the custom mouth guard, which can cost up to $600, was any more effective at preventing or reducing concussions than a standard $5 boil-and-bite mouth guard.

Additional studies concur and conclude that the studies performed by Dr. Maher are flawed in multiple respects because they were based on “limited case series studies and retrospective, nonrandomnized, cross-sectional surveys.”

Though John still battles the cognitive effects of concussions, he has become a beacon for concussion awareness and frequently contributes to The Concussion Blog. John’s goal is to educate others about the severity of concussions, and that it’s ok to sit out if you are still showing signs of concussions.

There is no question the mouth guard negatively affected John, “As much as I love football, football scares the living hell out of me.” And John warns, “The fact that we have companies profiting and perpetuating the concussion crisis, sickens me.”

One of the main principles of concussion awareness is ensuring coaches, athletes and parents are educated about the symptoms of concussions. The false sense of security that the mouth guards, and other “concussion prevention” devices, provide undercuts this. An athlete who believes his equipment can prevent concussions is much less likely to report symptoms, dismissing them as a regular headache. Likewise, a coach and parent will put their guard down because they believe the athlete is less susceptible to concussions.

At bottom, MaherCor and other companies should not convey false messages that their product can effectively reduce or prevent concussions. Manufacturers would be wise to take note of the FTC’s recent actions and change their marketing schemes, or else they will be sued for violating consumer protection statutes.

If you have purchased any of the following products – Brain-Pad, Maher Mouth Guard, Guardian Caps, Full90, Shock Strips, etc. – please send me an email, at PaulD_Anderson@me.com, expressing your thoughts on the products effectiveness.

[1] The founder of MaherCor is also the New England Patriots’ dentist.